Condenser



July 17, 1928. 1,677,173

R. s. CURLEY CONDENSER Filed Sept. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVEN TOR ATTORNEY.

July 17, 1928.

R. S. CURLEY CONDENSER Filed Sept.26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lIlllllll'lllllllllH llllIlllltlllllllllilllllllll i IHIIIIHH lHHllHllll l Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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7 Application fled September 26, "1921 Serial Io. same.

This invention relates to condensers of the character used in textile mills.

It is the usual practice insuch mills to convey cotton or otherfibre in a stream of air and a condenser is used at any point in the s stem where it is desired to deposit the fi re, or, in other words, to separate it from the current of air in which. it is carried. Such a condenser usually comprises a rotary screen mounted in a casing and revolved slowly. A suction fan creates the current or air which carries the cotton to the condenserand draws this air through the and the casing and thus to introduce very serious frictional resistance to the rotation of the screen. There is always a tendency, also, for dust to accumulate around the ends and bearings of the screen, and such accumulations later become dislodged and are carried into'the fibre by the air leakage-currents. This ultimately results in producing blemished goods. Furthermore, as the condenser becomes worn theair leakage becomes a moretroublesome factor.

The present invention is especially concerned with the conditions above described, and it aims to improve the construction of condensers with a view to controlling the air leakage more effectually throughout the life of the condenser, preventing the accumulation of dirt and foreign material where it may'subsequently be dislodged and become mingled with the fibre, facilitating the manufactureand maintenance of the machine, and particularly to preventing the packing of the fibre into the clearance spaces at the ends of the screen.

The nature of the invention willbe readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the BOOOli1- panyingdrawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out'in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of. a condenser constructed in accordance with this invention; i

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the end of the condenser opposite to that, shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical, transverse, cross-sectional view of the condenser shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and 1 e Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view on substantially theline 4-4, Fig. 3.

The machine shown comprises a cylindrical screen 2 partly enclosed in a casing 4. The screening surface may consist of wire fabric, a perforated sheet metalplate, or the like, and the screen includes flanged rings 6-6 at the opposite ends thereof which support the screening surface. Preferably these flanged rings are of channel section,,as shown in Fig. 4. Each ring is supported by a series of rolls 7, Figs. 3 and 4, which 7 i are mounted on axles 8 supported in the end plates of the casing 4. The rolls engage the flanges of the annular members 6-6 and thus support the screen for free rotation in the casing with the edge of each flange g0 fitting against the inner surface of its respect-iveend plate of the casing, a suflicient clearance only being provided between the flanges and the end plates to permit the screen to run freely. In order to rotate the screen 2,-the inner flange 10 of each of the end rings 6.-6 is toothedto mesh with a pinion, as shown at 12 in Fig. 3, both of these pinions mounted on a shaft 13. This shaft carries a gear 14 which is driven by a. pinion 15 on another shaft 16. A pulley 17, Fig. 2, is secured on the latter shaft and may be belted to any convenient source of power.

An inlet 20, Figs. 1 and 3, is provided in the casing at one side thereof for the admission of the fibre laden current of air. Th s current of air, as in prior constructions, 1s

5 created by a suction blower or. fan which is connected to the discharge end of the condenser. The air passes through the screen 2 into the interior thereof and then flows into a conduit or air pipe 21 which extends l through both the screen and one end of the casing 4. The conduit 21 is located co-axially -with the. screen- 2 and its inner end is abutted againstand closed by one of the end plates ofthe casing, as clearly shown in Fi i l 4. A long tapered opening 22, Fig. 4,.15

formed in the upper side of this conduit, the

opening being relativelylnarrow at the dis-' charge end of the conduit but increasing gradually in width toward the closed end thereofu This construetion results in disclosed end of the conduit.

tributing the air flow more uniformly over the entire length of the screen, the increase in .width of the opening, 22 compensating for the increase in air resistance toward the One or more air holes .24 are formed through each end plate of the casing where they open into the channel sections in the end rings 66 of the screen; As shown,

so two of these air holes are provided through each end plate. Air thus can flow freely into the channel spaces in the end rings and awsm'all part ofthis air can leak around the edges of the flanges of the ringsthrough the clearancespaces providedhetween these flanges and the endplates. The air leakage producedin thismanner is a relatively constant quantity so that suitable allowance can be made for it in the design of the machine"; Ithas the advantage-both of pie venting dirt and dust from accumulatingin those portions of the screen where such accu nulations otherwise would form, and

later -would v be 3 dislodged and become mingled with the fibre. but more especially 'of preventing inward leakage currents around the'ends ofth'e screeinwliere they cause fibre to pack into theclearance' space between the rings and the casin Preferably the end plates of th e' 'casing 4 each includes a reinovablelsection"58. Figs. 1

and whichis bolted to the Inain-bodyof the casing andcarries the axles which supportg the rolls 7. Th'is construption"facilitates the manufacture and} assembly of the parts, and also is of advantage incase repairs become necessary, 1

In order to prevent the reverse of air through the screenr or inother words, to close the space between the conduit 21 and the screen 2, damper.

of the conduit. Thepla'te 25Ihas flanges at its opposite ends, one of theseflangesbeing fibre pas ing between it and the movement For the purpose of closing the space beplates and 26, Figs. 3 and 4'. are providedat the opposite sides shown at 27, Fig. 3, and each flange bears against the inner surface of one of the end plates of the casing and is slotted to receive bolts by means of which the damper plate is adjustably secured in its operative position. A narrow flap 2!) of leather, felt, or the like, i: secured to the outer edge of the plate 25 and bears against the inner surface of the screen 2. This plate, therefore, substantially closes the space between the conduit and the screen at one side of the con- ;duit. 'i' he damper plate 26 is similarly sccured in place by bolts 30, Fig. 3, and it has a flap 31 at its outer edge to bear again at the uinnerwsurface of the screen. Another plate 32 is formed integral with, or is secured to the lower part of; the wall of the intake opening 20 and projects inwardly, a flexible flap 33 being secured toits inner edge to bear against the outer surface of the screen; preferably at a point opposite to the flap 2!). This relationship is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

These damper plate". '25, 26 and 32 prevent.

20 is deposited on the surface of the screen i 2 as the air flows through this screen, and

this fibre is carried around with the screen as" it rotates slowly. As the fibre passes the damper plate 26. the suction holding-it on the screen is relieved, and the fibre is removed from the screen immediately after it has passed the damper plate. In order to facilitatethis removal upper and lower rolls 35 and 36 are provided at thedischarge side of the condenser. The upper roll 35 is mounted on a shaft 3? which is supported "in two arms 38 and 39, repet tively, both pivoted above and atone side of the roll 35 sothat theweight ofthe roll 35 tends to hold it against the surface of the screen 2.

This roll thus presses the fibre carried by the screen againstthe screen surface. The roll 35 is rotated by a gear 40 mounted on the end of the shaft 37 and running in me:;h with another gear 41 which is driven by the 'flgear 14 previously referred to. A link 47 while another link 48 connects the axle of p the latter gear with the shaft 3 on which the Lgear 14 is mounted. These links hold the 1 gears in mesh with each other while the roll 35 swingsoutwardly more or less due to the screen.

tween the press roll 35 and the casing 4. the bar 42. Fig. 3. is mounted rigidly on the arms 38 and 39. and an angle plate 43 is secured to this bar and holds a flap 4-4 of 'leather, or other flexible material. pressed against the outer surface of the roll lconnects the axles of the gears 40 and 41.

on. i

Another flap 45, Fig. 3, is secured along the edge of the opening in the casing and bears against the angle plate43.

The rolls 35 and 36 rotate toward each other, the stripper roll 36 actingto peel the layer of fibre off the screen 2, and the two rolls cooperateto feed this layer of fibre out between them and away from the screen. It is desirable that this fibre shall not be in a compact sheet but shall be kept in a loose and flufiy condition. For this purpose the rolls are driven at different peripheral speeds. As shown, the lower roll 36, which is mounted on the shaft 16, is driven at a higher speed than the upper roll 35, the desired difference in speed being obtained through the gear connections between the shafts l6 and 37. I

It will now be appreciated that this invention provides a condenser construction in which accumulations of dirt or fibre are effectually prevented from forming in the machine. Aside from the damage which such accumulations may cause in the work produced by the machine, they are also extremely dangerous since they may so increase the friction generated in the machine as to cause fire or even to break the machine. The elimination of inward leakage currents around the ends of the screen also is of advantage in permitting the fibre to drop oil the screen freely after it has passed the damper plate 26. The mounting of the condenser screen is such that the air leakage is substantially constant and is not greatly affected by wear, as in prior types of condensers.

While I have herein shown and described the best embodiment of my invention that I have so far devised, it will be evident that this embodiment may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to claim as new is:

1. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary screen, a casing in which said screen is partly enclosed, said casing having an in let opening in one side thereof, a stationary air conduit within said screen arranged to receive the air flowing through the screen and discharge it from the condenser, and stationary dampers between said screen and conduit and between said casing and screen.

2. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, a casing in which said screen is partly enclosed, said casing having an inlet opening in one side thereof, a stationary air conduit within said screen extending longitudinally of the screen for receiving the air flowing through the screen and discharging it from the condenser, a stationary damper plate extending from one side of said conduit to a point closely adjacent to the screen and substantially closing the space between said screen and conduit at one side of the conduit, and a flexible flap secured to the edge of said damper plate and bearing against said screen.

3. In a conde11ser,the; combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, acasing in which said screen partly enclosed, said-casing having an inlet opening in one side thereof, a stationary air conduit extending into said screen for receiving the air flowing through the screen and discharging it from the condenser, and a tapered opening in the side of said conduit within the screen, the small end of said opening being located toward the discharge end of the conduit, and the width of said opening increasing toward the opposite end of the conduit.

4. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, a casing in which said screen is partly enclosed, said casing having an inlet opening in one side thereof, rolls on which the opposite ends of said screen near the periphery thereof are mounted to support the screen for rotation, a stationary air conduit in said screen arranged to receive the air flowing through the screen and discharge it from the condenser, and stationary dampers associated with the screen and substantially confining the suction caused by the flow of air through the screen to a portion only of the screen face.

5. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, a casing in which said screen is partly enclosed, said casing having an inlet opening in one side thereof, a press roll at the fibre discharging side of the casing, means supporting said roll for swinging movement under the influence of gravity to press the fibre carried by the screen against the screen, a stripper roll mounted closely adjacent to the press roll, and means for driving said rolls at different peripheral speeds.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, a casing in which said screen is partly enclosed, said casing having an inlet opening in one side thereof, a press roll at the fibre discharging side of the casing, means supporting said roll for swinging movement to press the fibre'carried by the screen againstthe screen, and. dampers for substantially closing the space between said press roll and said casing and between the screen and said conduit.

7. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen including flanged rings supporting the opposite ends of the screening surface rolls supporting said rings and on which the flanges of said rings run, a casing partly enclosing said screen and supporting said rolls, said casing including plates fitting closely against the flanges of said rings but with a clearance between them, air holes through said plates for admitting air to the space between said rings and plates, and means for revolving said screen.

8. In a condenser, the combination of a rotary cylindrical screen, a, casing in which 5 said screen is partlyenelosed, rolls supporting said screen for rotation, said casing including plates fitting closely against the op- ROBERT S. (/URLEY. 

